Associate Vice President, Financial Services

at  California State University

Job no: 542410
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: East Bay
Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Compliance/Legal, Finance/Accounting, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Management or other closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• 8-10 years of progressively responsible finance and administration experience of which at least 7 years must have involved direct responsibility for managing a variety of financial and administrative functions that includes supervising professional staff as a mid-to-senior level manager in a medium to large institution/organization.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of budgeting and resource allocation principles and theories and application in a higher education environment.
• Knowledge of accounting and budget technology systems including payroll, accounts payable, general ledger and other financial related systems.
• Ability to function in a complex, high-demand environment, managing multiple priorities simultaneously while setting and achieving goals.
• Creativity and solution-oriented thinking, comfort adapting to rapidly changing territory and addressing ambiguity. Proven ability to execute change and communicate it clearly.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with experience and ability to lead, manage and mentor a team of professionals and staff. Proven record of hiring, directing and supervising staff in the formulation of goals and objectives, organizing work and workflow, delegating authority, training and evaluating performance.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within financial operations and collaboratively across a diverse campus community.
• Knowledge of the methods of process improvement and streamlining operations through redesign business practices and performance measurement.
• Ability to empathize and effectively collaborate with various constituent groups, while keeping in mind customer-centric solutions and the university’s goal of enhancing student success.
• Knowledge of cost recovery principles and their applications among departments in the University and with outside entities; General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) including all applicable Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements; and Single Audit Report preparation actions.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations related to cost accounting, sales and use tax, bond issuance and other financial requirements.
• Must possess and exhibit the highest standards of personal and professional excellence and integrity.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Master’s degree and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) strongly preferred.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience with funding models, working with auxiliaries and not for profit entities and the California State University system highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of Oracle and PeopleSoft software systems is preferred.

Provide overall leadership and management to the Financial Services team. This includes supervising and providing guidance to direct reports and their staff; creating professional development plans for staff; fostering a culture based on A&F’s core values of integrity, collaboration, respect, empathy, and stewardship; ensuring processes and procedures are in compliance with University, CSU, CA and federal regulations; ensuring accounting functions, general ledger transactions, and reporting functions are performed accurately and on a timely basis; and, promoting continuous process quality management improvements when assessing administrative functions. Financial service activities include serving not only the University, but also auxiliary organizations such as ASI, CSUEB Foundation and Cal State East Bay Educational Foundation and other contracted groups such as the CSUEB Alumni Association and California Compact.
The major units under the leadership and management of the AVP include but is not limited to:

General Accounting:

• Includes preparation of annual financial statements and audits, general ledger maintenance, trust fund accounting, donor funds accounting, ASI funds accounting, financial reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivables, internal and external financial reporting, expenditure transfers and cash management.

Student Financial Services and Systems:

• Includes receiving payments, disbursements of financial aid and refunds, billings, debt collection and advising, fee waivers and installment payment plans, sponsored registration, Perkins and Nursing pre-loans and exits.

Procurement and Support Services:

• Includes contracts, purchase orders and procurement cards.

University Clubs and Bay Card:

• Includes administration of student club accounts and the University Bay Card program.
• Develop, update, maintain and implement a strategic plan for the Financial Services team that aligns with the division’s strategic goals and initiatives. Focus is on customer centric process improvements, streamlining business operations for efficiencies and effectiveness, collaboration and transparency.
• Actively represent Financial Services and Administration and Finance, when requested, on designated university and/or auxiliary committees (e.g. audit chair for Cal State East Bay Foundation) and CSU committees. This includes but is not limited to participation in the Financial Officers Association.

Other duties as assigned.